2025 Fantasy Football: Weekly Winners - Week 5

The 2025 Fantasy Football season has been a wild ride so far. Players we thought would be massive assets are underperforming, the injury bug has been terrible, bounce-backs are happening, players are breaking out, roles continue to change, and we learn something new each week. No matter what your record is in your Fantasy Football league, do not throw in the towel if you are struggling, and do not get overly satisfied if you are winning. The Fantasy Football season is a marathon, not a sprint. And I will be here for you each week as support to help you “Play 2 Win”.

This is where the Weekly Winners series comes into play. It’s one of my favorite projects to put together for Fantrax each week. I invest hours analyzing matchups and identifying players who are likely to have breakout performances in Fantasy or DFS. This involves examining usage trends, opposing defenses, yardage allowed, Fantasy Points allowed, projected game scripts, and all the small contextual details that often make the biggest difference. Let’s get it!

More Week 5 Fantasy Football Fun!: | Sneaky Starts | Fantasy Football Waiver Wire | Weekly Sleepers & Streamers | Starts & Sits | Skrip’s Week Winners | NFL DFS | NFL Player Props | IDP Analysis | Bold Predictions | Survivor Picks | NFL Injury Report | Dynasty Trade Targets | Weekly Rankings | Dynasty Risers and Fallers

2025 Fantasy Football: Weekly Winners – Week 5

Justin Fields vs. Dallas

Justin Fields and the Jets will face a Dallas defense that allows the most Fantasy PPG to quarterbacks and the most total yards this season. In Week 1, Justin Fields threw 16/22 (72.7%) for 218 yards with a passing touchdown, and he also rushed for 48 yards and two touchdowns, which was 29.5 Fantasy Points.

In the next game, Fields suffered a concussion after rushing for 49 yards, which would keep him out of Week 3. In Fields’ return in Week 4, he threw 20/27 (74.1%) for 226 passing yards and a touchdown, as well as rushed for 81 yards and another touchdown, which was 27.1 Fantasy Points. Fields has been the most electric runner for the position and is passing efficiently through two full games. Smash start against the Cowboys.

Sam Darnold vs. Tampa Bay

Sam Darnold has ranged from 15.8 – 16.72 Fantasy Points the last three games straight, which may not be high ceiling scoring, but feels pretty safe and consistent. Through these three weeks, Darnold has thrown five touchdowns and averaged 251.67 passing yards, with two total turnovers.

The Buccaneers, who allow the ninth-most Fantasy PPG to quarterbacks, are up next for Darnold. There should be plenty of offense between Darnold and Baker Mayfield, and Darnold provides a good streaming option for the position for Week 5.

Bryce Young vs. Miami

Another Fantasy Football streaming option for Week 5 is Bryce Young, who will face the Dolphins. Miami is allowing the second-most Fantasy PPG to quarterbacks and is allowing 220.8 passing yards per game so far this season.

Young has been terrible for Fantasy Football in three of his four starts this season, with the one upside outing being Week 2 against the Cardinals. That week Young threw 25/55 (63.6%) for 328 yards, passed for three touchdowns and an interception, and finished with 21.3 Fantasy Points.

Miami has allowed Justin Fields, Josh Allen, Drake Maye, and Daniel Jones to all have successful Fantasy outings against them, so Bryce could be up next and flash what we saw in the second half of last season.

Woody Marks vs. Baltimore

Rookie Woody Marks’ snap percentage has steadily climbed in Weeks 1-4 from 11% to 27% to 48% to 56%. A 37-yard reception in Week 2, 4.67 yards per carry that same week, and 4.5 yards per carry in Week 3 were small signs of efficiency.

Then in Week 4, we saw a shift in the Houston backfield, with Marks out-touching Nick Chubb 21 to 15. Marks played 56% of the snaps, rushing 17 times for 69 yards and a touchdown, and also caught four of his five targets for 50 yards and another touchdown, which was a solid 27.9 Fantasy Points.

Up next for Houston is a Ravens defense that is allowing the most Fantasy PPG to running backs and the sixth most rushing yards per game this season at 141.3. Lamar Jackson is doubtful, so the game script could certainly shift in a major way behind a Cooper Rush-led Ravens offense and enable Woody to touch the ball plenty in this one.

David Montgomery vs. Cincinnati

The Lions will face the Bengals in Week 5. Cincinnati allows the second-most Fantasy PPG to running backs and the seventh-most rushing yards per game at 135.8.

With Jake Browning leading the Bengals the last two weeks, their offense has scored 13 total points while their defense has allowed 76. Aka – the game script can feature plenty of running in this one.

Insert David Montgomery, who has not had the volume you would love behind Jahmyr Gibbs but should see plenty in this matchup. In Week 2, Montgomery rushed 11 times for 57 yards (5.2 yards per carry) and a touchdown, which was 13.1 Fantasy Points. In Week 3, Monty rushed 12 times for 151 yards (12.6 yards per carry) with two rushing touchdowns, which was 29.4 Fantasy Points.

I see two games with high efficiency and touchdown upside, and I think he can have both of those qualities in Week 5.

Cam Skattebo vs. New Orleans

For three straight weeks, rookie Cam Skattebo has scored 13+ Fantasy Points. Back in Week 2, Skattebo rushed 11 times for 45 yards and a touchdown with two catches for 14 yards. Then in Week 3, Skattebo rushed 10 times for 60 yards (6.0 yards per carry) with another rushing touchdown and six receptions for 61 yards, which was 24.1 Fantasy Points. Then last week, Skattebo rushed 25 times for 79 yards and caught two balls for another 11 yards.

I see flashes of touchdown upside, receiving potential, and volume all mixed. Next up for the Giants is a Saints defense that allows the eighth-most Fantasy PPG to running backs, in a matchup where the rookie can continue to be a Fantasy asset.

Check out all of our Week 5 Rankings: Flex Rankings | QB Rankings | RB Rankings | WR Rankings | TE Rankings

Travis Etienne Jr. vs. Kansas City

Travis Etienne Jr. has been one of the best values in Fantasy Football drafts this year with his production vs. where he was drafted. 143 rushing yards in Week 1, a receiving touchdown in Week 2, a rushing touchdown in Week 3, and then 124 rushing yards and another rushing touchdown in Week 4 are all positive flashes of upside for Etienne.

He is also averaging a stellar 6.1 yards per carry on the year. Scores of 18.6, 16.9, and 19.5 have all been quality for your Fantasy Football lineup.

Up next for the Jaguars is a Chiefs defense allowing the ninth-most Fantasy PPG to running backs and the 11th most rushing yards per game at 127. Etienne has been the Jaguars’ MVP on offense, so they will need to implement him plenty in this matchup.

Quinshon Judkins vs. Minnesota

The Browns have finally found their next Nick Chubb, and that is in rookie Quinshon Judkins. In Judkins’ NFL debut, he rushed 10 times for 61 yards (6.1 yards per carry) with three catches for 10 yards. In Week 3, Judkins rushed 18 times for 94 yards (5.2 yards per carry) and a touchdown, which was 16.5 Fantasy Points. Then in Week 4, Judkins rushed 21 times for 82 yards and another touchdown, with four catches for 33 yards, which was 21.5 Fantasy Points.

Judkins had increases in volume and Fantasy production each week, with clear touchdown upside. Up next for the Browns is a Vikings defense allowing the ninth-most rushing yards per game at 130.3. Rookie Dillon Gabriel will make his first NFL start for the Browns, and this is a big Judkins factor as well because I doubt the game plan is to let Dillon sling it, but rather put the rock in Judkins’ hands plenty.

Chris Olave vs. New York

Chris Olave is currently the second-most targeted wide receiver in the NFL with 43, which is a solid 10.75 per game. 13, 10, 14 targets across the first three weeks were great and led to safe points per reception scoring due to seven, six, 10 catches.

Last week, Olave caught just three of six passes for 20 yards but was saved by a receiving touchdown, especially with him throwing an interception (you read that right). The Saints will face a Giants defense in Week 5 that allows the second-most Fantasy PPG to wide receivers and also the eighth most passing yards per game at 235.5.

Spencer Rattler has thrown the ball the fourth-most times in the NFL so far, so count on him to be feeding Olave in a great matchup on paper that can translate to his biggest Fantasy score of the season.

Michael Pittman Jr. vs. Las Vegas

Michael Pittman Jr. has been one of the biggest bounce-backs for Fantasy Football this season so far with Daniel Jones at quarterback. We are seeing 2023 MPJ, after 2024, consisted of a fractured back that impacted performance.

MPJ has scored three touchdowns so far this season, finished two weeks with 73/80 receiving yards, and has two weeks of over 19 Fantasy Points. Up next for the Colts is a Raiders defense that allows the third-most Fantasy PPG to wide receivers and the 10th most passing yards per game at 228.3. Pittman is coming off a season-high 10 targets, and this could be his third week in a row with a touchdown secured from Indiana Jones.

Quentin Johnston vs. Washington

One of the biggest Fantasy Football breakouts this season is Quentin Johnston, and none of us saw that coming. Johnston has scored 24.9, 15.9, 14.9, and 23.8 Fantasy Points through four weeks of football, which shows great consistency paired with clear upside. Four receiving touchdowns, three games over 70 receiving yards, and two games of 89/98 clearly display that upside.

What is even more encouraging is the 23 (10/13) total targets across the last two weeks from Justin Herbert, who is simply feeding the beast. Johnston will face a Washington defense that allows the eighth-most Fantasy PPG to wide receivers and the sixth-most passing yards per game at 248.5 this season.

Tetairoa McMillan vs. Miami

Tetairoa McMillan has not yet had an explosive Fantasy week, but he is off to a solid rookie campaign so far. TMac’s 35 targets are tied for sixth for the position. He has also earned 24.5% of his team’s targets, and his 278 receiving yards rank 12th for the position. Consistent volume with decent yardage, with a 100-yard game already under his belt from Week 2.

The Dolphins matchup is a solid one for quarterbacks, so a solid Bryce Young week should translate to a solid Tetaiaroa McMillan game for Fantasy Football. I am a huge believer in the talent. We have seen flashes at the NFL level with his solid usage, and the big game is coming… In Week 5.

Xavier Worthy vs. Jacksonville

Xavier Worthy returned from injury in Week 4 to catch five of his eight targets for 83 yards, and he also rushed twice for an additional 38 yards, which was 17.1 Fantasy Points. I was personally a little weary of Worthy’s return, not knowing how healthy he was coming back, but he clearly was just as explosive as ever.

Leading the Chiefs in targets from Patrick Mahomes is encouraging heading into this Jaguars matchup, who are allowing the ninth-most passing yards per game (233.5). Explosive FLEX play for Week 5.

Marvin Harrison Jr. vs TEN

The internet was destroying Marvin Harrison Jr. in Week 4, who was struggling through a big chunk of that Seahawks game, almost forgetting that there are four quarters of football. MHJ ended up catching a huge touchdown and finished the week with six catches on 10 targets for 66 yards, which meant 18.6 Fantasy Points.

This was Harrison Jr.’s second game with a touchdown, second game with 18-ish Fantasy Points, and his first game with double-digit targets. The volume and the clutch touchdown could be a sign of bigger days to come. Up next for the Cardinals is a Titans defense that allows the sixth-most Fantasy PPG to wide receivers and the 11th most passing yards per game at 227.

Darren Waller vs. Carolina

You could not have written a better “welcome back to the NFL” script for Darren Waller’s return in Week 4. In Waller’s NFL debut with the Dolphins, he played just 28% of the snaps but caught three of his four targets for 27 yards, with two of those catches being touchdowns. 17.7 Fantasy Points.

Up next for the Dolphins is a Panthers defense that is allowing the sixth-most Fantasy PPG to tight ends. Waller has proven to be a red zone threat for Tua in just one game, and with the Tyreek Hill season-ending injury, he could see an uptick in targets and his snap percentage for Week 5. Also, do not forget the upside Jonnu Smith had with Tua last year as the tight end in Miami.

Dalton Kincaid vs. BUF

Dalton Kincaid had scored three touchdowns across the opening four weeks of football. Kincaid has also finished weeks with 12, 13.2, and 28 yards per catch. Two signs of upside there. Weeks of 14.8 and 17.6 Fantasy Points have also been paired with weeks of 7.7 and 9.8 Fantasy Points, but at least we see the spike weeks.

Up next for Buffalo is the Patriots, who rank eighth in Fantasy PPG allowed to tight ends. Tommy Tremble just scored against them last week, and Brock Bowers opened up the season with over 100 yards against New England as well. Kincaid should be a big factor in this AFC East matchup.

Mason Taylor vs. Dallas

A sneaky tight end to stream this week is rookie Mason Taylor. I love Justin Fields against the Cowboys this week, who allow the most total yards in the league, and we are seeing Taylor and Fields slowly clicking.

Just last week against the Dolphins, Taylor caught five of his seven targets for 65 yards, which was 11.5 Fantasy Points. Taylor was the second-best receiving option to Garrett Wilson, and I was hoping the rookie would become Fields’ new “Cole Kmet,” which references the tight end connection Fields had back in his Chicago days.

The Cowboys are a dangerous offense with a poor defense, which creates the perfect game script in Week 5 for Taylor to have a big week.

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